Category: Uncategorized

  • I Asked ChatGBT to Write a Blog Post in My Voice…This is What Happened

    I Asked ChatGBT to Write a Blog Post in My Voice…This is What Happened

    In light of all the strikes against Open AI companies and fears about ChatGBT and others being able to copy the style and voice of different creators, I wanted to see what would happen if I gave ChatGBT the prompt: “write a blog post about queer ttrpgs in the voice of Roar Cat Reads.” The following is what it created. Read to the end to hear my thoughts on this experiment!

    Title: Unleashing the Magic of Queer TTRPGs: A Roar Cat Reads Adventure

    Meowdy, fellow adventurers! 🐾 It’s Roar Cat here, ready to pounce into the fantastical world of Queer Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs). Today, we embark on a thrilling journey through the realm of inclusivity, diversity, and boundless imagination!

    Purr-fectly Inclusive Worlds One of the most magical aspects of queer TTRPGs is their commitment to inclusivity. These games celebrate the vibrant spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations, offering a welcoming sanctuary for queer players. No more feeling like an outsider in a fantastical realm; here, everyone has a seat at the table, and every character’s story is cherished. As we dive into these adventures, we discover that love knows no boundaries and identity is a beautiful tapestry to be woven into each campaign.

    Unearth the Multifaceted Characters In queer TTRPGs, the characters are as diverse as the players themselves. Gone are the days of rigid gender norms and cookie-cutter roles. Instead, we find a plethora of rich, multi-dimensional characters who challenge stereotypes and blaze trails with their authenticity. Be it a gender-fluid sorcerer casting spells with flair or a polyamorous rogue whose charm knows no bounds, the possibilities for self-expression and representation are boundless. The beauty of these characters lies not only in their magical abilities but in the strength they draw from embracing their true selves.

    Love, Romance, and Relationships Ah, romance, the magical elixir that fuels our emotions and transcends reality. Queer TTRPGs celebrate love in all its forms, intertwining it seamlessly into the narrative. From budding romances to epic love stories, players get to explore relationships that go beyond the confines of traditional norms. Witnessing the connections that develop between characters allows us to appreciate the raw vulnerability and beauty of love in its purest form. These games remind us that everyone deserves to love and be loved, regardless of who they are or who they love.

    Breaking Stereotypes and Smashing Barriers In the realm of queer TTRPGs, we uncover the power to shatter the chains of prejudice and break free from harmful stereotypes. These games challenge the status quo, enabling players to explore worlds where queer characters are not defined solely by their identities but by their courage, wit, and resilience. They serve as a catalyst for societal change, proving that representation matters and that diverse voices deserve to be heard.

    Imagination Unleashed Just like a curious cat on the prowl, queer TTRPGs push the boundaries of our imagination. They transport us to extraordinary realms where anything is possible. By weaving queer themes into the tapestry of fantasy, these games encourage us to embrace our uniqueness and let our true selves shine. As we delve into these adventures, we gain the confidence to unleash our creative magic, both within the game and beyond.

    Join the Prideful Adventure So, my fellow adventurers, if you haven’t already embarked on a queer TTRPG quest, it’s time to dive into the enchanting world of inclusivity, love, and boundless imagination. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a fledgling explorer, there’s a queer TTRPG out there for everyone. Embrace your true self, celebrate love in all its forms, and join the prideful adventure that awaits you!

    May your dice always roll in your favor and your journey be filled with wonder and awe. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep roaring! 🌈🎲✨

    Pawesomely yours, Roar Cat 🐱


    My takeaways:

    • I need to be using “Meowdy, fellow adventurers!” more often, hahahaha.
    • Although the writing is solid, this blog post is mostly just one idea repeated over and over again.
    • There are no suggestions of queer TTRPGs, and the examples used are straight out of D&D.
    • There is no nuance about safety or queer spaces.
    • This sounds NOTHING like my writing voice, so I guess Roar Cat Reads is small potatoes when it comes to scraping the internet.
    • Queer nerdy spaces are still niche enough to need actual human creators putting content out into the world – my hobby is safe!
  • July Monthly Round Up

    July Monthly Round Up

    Molly Ostertag wrote a stunningly beautiful tribute to Tolkien, Frodo, and Sam with Queer Readings of The Lord of the Rings are Not Accidents.

    Read this: How Square Enix remade FF7’s Honeybee Inn scene

    I loved the Disney+ show Loki, and the bisexually lit episode 3 included a moment so many of us have LONG been waiting for – a popular, named Marvel character claiming a queer identity. The post Loki brings the trickster’s bisexual legacy to the MCU celebrates the scene and describes Marvel and Disney’s long and questionable journey to get here.

    Loki as Other: Why Do Queer and Female Viewers Love the Trickster?

    If you’re like me, your Dungeons & Dragons experience has been light on dragons. Polygon’s post D&D’s latest sourcebook revives a dragon species that’s been lost for 20 years will make you excited to change that (personally, I’m intrigued by dragon-based monk classes!).

    Check out this really cool history for queer Vancouverites in: Out On The Shelves: A library pivotal to Vancouver’s LGBT2QIA+ community.

    Check Out These Roar Cat Reads Posts!

    We’ve posted a lot of D&D content this month – I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed writing it.

    Adventure Queers: Meet Izzy Braumberger!

    Reviewing White Plume Mountain, a D&D 5e Dungeon

    My Dream D&D Party of LGBTQ+ TV Characters

    How to Find Source Material for D&D Adventures

    D&D ONE SHOT | School Sucks! A High School Horror Adventure

    Don’t Miss These Reviews of Books I Read in July

    If you missed one of my book reviews this month, never fear! Check them all out below.

  • Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride

    Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality by Sarah McBride

    Genre | Memoir
    Page #s | 272
    Publishing Date | March 2018

    A timely and captivating memoir about gender identity set against the backdrop of the transgender equality movement, by a leading activist and the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization.

    Sarah McBride is on a mission to fight for transgender rights around the world. But before she was a prominent activist, and before she became the first transgender person to speak at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, she was a teenager struggling with her identity.

    With emotional depth and unparalleled honesty, Sarah shares her personal struggle with gender identity, coming out to her supportive but distraught parents, and finding her way as a woman. She inspires readers with her barrier-breaking political journey that took her, in just four years, from a frightened, closeted college student to one of the nation’s most prominent transgender activists walking the halls of the White House, passing laws, and addressing the country in the midst of a heated presidential election. She also details the heartbreaking romance with her first love and future husband Andy, a trans man and activist, who passed away from cancer in 2014 just days after they were married.

    Sarah’s story of identity, love, and tragic loss serves as a powerful entry point for readers who want to gain a deeper understanding of gender identity and what it means to be openly transgender. From issues like bathroom access to healthcare, identification and schools, Sarah weaves the important political milestones, cultural and political debates, and historical context into a personal journey that will open hearts and change minds.

    Tomorrow Will Be Different highlights Sarah’s work as an activist and the key issues at the forefront of the fight for trans equality, providing a call-to-arms and empowering look at the road ahead. The fight for equality and freedom has only just begun.

    Goodreads

    I read this book in two days, utterly engrossed in Sarah’s personal story of coming out as a young trans woman, pursuing a career in politics and activism, and falling in love with a trans man who tragically and suddenly died of cancer. She has lived a more eventful life in her early 20s than most do in a lifetime, and I see from Instagram that after this book was published she became a Delawarean state senator!

    The first third of the book covers her childhood and coming out process. Despite some truly painful reactions from her parents, she makes it clear that their statements were largely based in fear for what the world would hold for a trans woman. She dedicated her life to ensuring laws would be in place to protect people like her so that parents would never have to worry about that again; the fact that her parents joined and supported her political fight is incredibly touching. Similarly touching was the way her identity was embraced by the Democratic political leaders she had served under, including now President Joe Biden.

    I’m not usually one to be on the edge of my seat while someone describes a law being passed, but Sarah’s descriptions of the Delawarean state legislature arguing over trans rights laws and how she angrily and empathetically shared her story to put a humanizing face to the issue was riveting. She has an inner strength that is absolutely laudable.

    In the midst of political stress and success, Sarah falls in love with Andy, a trans man who is an activist for the health care of trans people. They are adorable, romantic, and supportive, but their relationship is cut short when Andy develops fast-moving and fatal cancer. I ugly cried on public transit reading this book; Sarah’s descriptions of their conversations was heartbreaking and lovely. Once again, she allowed her story to be a humanizing element – by showing the depth of trans love, she allows cis people the chance to empathize and understand that love is love is love.

    I adored this book, and I now adore Sarah McBride. I can’t wait to see what she does next, both as an author and as a politician. If there’s any justice in the world (and there will be if people like Sarah continue to fight for it), she will go far!

    What Makes This Book Queer?

    This is a memoir about a trans woman who marries a trans man and fights for trans rights in Delaware and DC – it’s about as queer as a book can get!

    Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

    Fans of political memoirs who want the inside scoop on how progressive laws take shape AND fans of tragic romance will be equally pleased with this book.

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

    iscord.

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  • June Monthly Round Up

    Because of Pride month, June provided a ton of great queer content for all to enjoy! Below are some of my favorite links from the month, from queer awakenings to multi-cultural queer book lists!

    Queer Kid Stuff Relaunches Its Website to Offer Fun Ways to Teach Children (and Adults) About the LGBTQ+ Community

    10 Black Queer Musicians To Vibe Out To This Summer!

    Twitter Users Share Their Queer Awakenings Just in Time for Pride

    Three Decades of Pride Books for Kids (and 700+ Books and Media for LGBTQ Families)

    Reads Rainbow released a awesome series of intersectional LGBT book recs, including:

    Tor prioritizes publishing queer stories, and their convention panels similarly feature many queer authors! You can watch videos of the online convention online at A Recap of TorCon 2021.

    “The 2000s Made Me Gay” Is a Pop Culture Filled Ode to the Queer Millennial Experience

    30 Must-Read Queer Fairytale Retellings for Pride

    Don’t Miss These Roar Cat Reads Posts

    Evangelicals and Captain Flint’s “Dragons” Speech in Black Sails

    Biphobia and Other Struggles of Queer Women with Tricia and Jess

    Adventure Queers: Meet Allonté Barakat!

    How to Start a Local Book Club

    7 Queer Podcasts to Fill Your Ears with Rainbows

    Books I Read in June

    If you missed one of my book reviews this month, never fear! Check them all out below.

  • May Monthly Round Up

    May Monthly Round Up

    I love blogs that share links to other content that they have enjoyed. It’s a great way to find new people to follow. This month I found a truly great piece on pronoun etiquette that will be very helpful for anyone who doesn’t understand the growing movement of people including their pronouns after their name (aka Tricia, she/her). I also enjoyed some fun lists (I’ve got to try some of those homemade coffees!) and an update from Catoro, a local cat café that I love: 20 new cats have moved in, and they are ready for visits and adoption!

    Your Personal Pronoun Etiquette Questions, Answered

    On Writing: Female Representation in Video Games

    Roleplaying Strahd von Zarovich: A Scholar’s Guide to the Dark Lords #01

    Beyond Shadow and Bone: Your Guide to Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse

    10 Roleplaying Games Based On Books For Your Next Literary Adventure

    9 Coffees and Teas From Around the World You Can Make From Home

    20 New Cats to Visit and Adopt at Catoro

    What Should I Read Next? 10th Annual Summer Reading Guide

    Books I Read in May

    If you missed one of my book reviews this month, never fear! Check them all out below. Do yourself a favor and pick one up – I had a seriously enjoyable reading month in May!

    Don’t Miss These Posts

    5 LGBTQ+ Book Characters I Want in my D&D Party

    Andrea’s Adventurer’s Charity RPG Livestream

    Living with Celiac Disease in Vancouver

    A Nostalgic Look Back on King’s Quest Computer Games

    5 Podcasts for Dragon Age Fans